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C&DTTL PICTURE NEWS - Issue 37 |
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Welcome to the latest edition of Picture News.
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Graham Taplin whose involvement with the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League dates back over 50 years. This is a tribute to Graham with input contributed principally by Ken Iliffe, a personal and family friend since 1950; Clare Dominic, representing Danbury friends and neighbours; and Richard Barkley of the Grove Chelmsford Lawn Tennis Club. The Early Years Graham was brought up in Danbury, and went to school at the St. Johns Church of England School. On leaving school he joined his father and brother in the family TV and Radio Repair business. He developed as a carefree teenager, his early interests including canoeing and cycling. He often talked of a Mr and Mrs Kemp and it was through them that Graham first took an interest in the United Reform Church, Danbury, where he was a founder member of the Young People’s Fellowship.It was with the Fellowship that Graham first forged his sporting links and he put all of his energy and enthusiasm, as only Graham can, into enrolling other youngsters in the area and inspiring them into becoming top of the local table tennis league. Graham’s teenage years were interrupted, first by joining the ATC and then between 1946 - 1949 by his National Service spent in the RAF. His National Service was spent mainly in India, where he was trained as a driver and at this time Graham’s map reading skills (or lack of) became legendary. He told many a story of his exploits of taking a wrong turn, some amusing and others hair-raising. After demob, Graham resumed serving the local community by participating in the family business, and relocating it to Baddow Road, Chelmsford where he eventually ran it single-handedly until the early 70’s. It then became more convenient and economical to work from his Danbury home. The Tennis Years Graham was a member of the Grove Chelmsford Lawn Tennis Club, first between 1948 –1968 and then again from 1985 to around 2001/2, when he stopped playing. In 1948, Graham was the Grove Chelmsford Men’s Doubles Champion and again for a further 5 times; he also won the Mixed Doubles on 3 occasions.. Until the mid 70’s Graham was playing his tennis on the grass courts adjoining the Essex County Cricket Pavilion but his tennis suffered a set back as the courts were sold to make way for the Essex Cricket Indoor School which opened in 1977. This initial disappointment was short-lived, however, as the then Chelmsford Tennis Club members amalgamated with the already well established Grove Chelmsford Lawn Tennis Club which continues in great strength today. When Graham rejoined the Grove in 1985 he played socially with much success, particularly on Tuesday and Friday mornings when he played with the "Wrinklies" the Pensioner brigade. Grove members recall Graham’s tennis prowess by describing him as being diminutive with great speed and having the agility to volley, but, he was prone to the lob. Although very competitive, Graham was always perceived as being a gentleman to all opponents which accompanied a sense of humour that contained an impish devilry. Such impishness manifested itself when Graham enjoyed teasing players on executing his specialist sliced drop shot. The Table Tennis Years Back in 1950, and with the help of a dozen members of the tennis club, situated to the rear of the County Ground Cricket Pavilion, a lease was drawn up with the Cricket Club to form Chelmsford Table Tennis Club, permitting table tennis to be played in the pavilion in the winter months. Graham handled all the infrastructure, the purchase of tables and equipment, along with the very efficient lighting for the two tables and the club achieved great success until the mid 60’s. It was then that some thoughtful person burnt the pavilion to the ground. From there, Graham took his table tennis skills to Crompton Parkinsons Sports Club, until that was sold off, then to Crittalls Witham, until that was sold off, Danbury TTC, EEV and finally in the late 70’s to Old Chelmfordians. Throughout this period, this amazing man Graham, found time to play in the East London League alongside such eminent players as Diane and Rosalind Rowe who, as the famous Rowe twins, won World Doubles Championship many times – Johnny Leach, World singles champion 1949 and 1951 and (best of all to Graham) the well known players and coaches Elsie and Jack Carrington. Graham also played in the Braintree League and for a few years in the Chelmsford & District Summer table tennis league. He was most importantly a tremendous coach and general helper and ‘encourager’ to countless youngsters in this area at both tennis and table tennis. The Social & Latter Years As befits most successful sportsmen "our" Graham had a great musical knowledge-allied to an ability to play the Hammond organ and, occasionally, his piano accordian. The many ladies of his acquaintance may also wish to recall his perfect rhythm on the dance floor. Having no known relatives and never marrying, many will be unaware that Graham’s cat, Lucky, was the love of his life and he will be pleased to know that Lucky has been found a good home. Finally, everyone who has come across Graham agrees that he will be a great loss to all who knew him both through his sport and ever present willingness to assist with any television and radio problems. He would want us to enjoy this brief moment to pay tribute and to remember him as a very polite and kind true gentleman. His genuine smile, that twinkle in his eye, his stories and his cheeky wit, will be sadly missed.
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